Save Money on Vacation: Book a Hotel Room with a Special Occasion

Hotels often have discounts or special deals available that are not made public to guests. Unless you seek out a special rate for the hotel room you will likely pay full price. Besides traveler deals for members of the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), hotels also offer unique deals for guests celebrating a memorable event. Regardless of whether or not there is something planned, save money on vacation by booking the hotel room with a special occasion.

Before booking the hotel room, call to inquire about possible exclusive deals for celebrating a special occasion with them. Does the hotel offer a special price for celebrating a birthday or anniversary? What types of extras can they offer? Is there anything special they can do to make the event more memorable? Even if there isn't a particular celebration planned for the trip, consider making one up to get the special deal or discount and save money on vacation.

If you have to pay full price for the hotel room, you may be able to get a free extra to make the vacation special as well as save money. Birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions often qualify for free room upgrades, show tickets, complimentary meals or a free bottle of champagne. If you've already booked the room, speak to the management upon checking in to see if there is anything they can offer you to help make the celebration memorable. Explain the situation in detail and what makes the trip special. Express your desire to make the trip extra special on the limited funds you have. If one hotel offers a way to save money if you book a room with them but it's not the place you want to stay, call the desired hotel and inform them of the offer. Ask for the manager and do not threaten, but inform the hotel of your intent to stay elsewhere unless they can match the deal.

It may not seem ethical to lie about a special occasion just to save money on a hotel room, however the true ethical question lays in the hotel practices. Management often picks and chooses who they want to pay which rate, and websites are set up to read your browser's history before coming up with a rate offer. Although it may seem like cheating the system, in reality you are simply getting a deal on a room that is likely not worth the price anyway. To save money on vacation, always book the hotel room with a special occasion.